Journal of
Medicinal Plants Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Med. Plants Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0875
  • DOI: 10.5897/JMPR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 3843

Review

Libidibia ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) L. P. Queiroz: A review of the biological activities and phytochemical composition

Magda Rhayanny Assunção Ferreira
  • Magda Rhayanny Assunção Ferreira
  • Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Av. Prof. Arthur de Sá - s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife ? PE ? CEP: 50740-521, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil. 2Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235 - Cidade Universitária, Recife - PE - CEP: 50670-901, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil.
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Luiz Alberto Lira Soares*
  • Luiz Alberto Lira Soares*
  • Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Av. Prof. Arthur de Sá - s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife ? PE ? CEP: 50740-521, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil. 2Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235 - Cidade Universitária, Recife - PE - CEP: 50670-901, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 26 November 2014
  •  Accepted: 27 January 2015
  •  Published: 03 February 2015

Abstract

Libidibia ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) L. P. Queiroz is a medicinal plant widely known in Brazil as “jucá” or “pauferro” that belongs to the Fabaceae family. The species is native to Brazil and is mainly found in the North and Northeastern regions. It has been studied for its biological activities and chemical composition. Scientific literature has reported that this species contains different extracts and/or isolated compounds which have antimicrobial, anti-inflamatory, analgesic, antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties, as well as others that are in popular use. The phytochemical literature reports on the presence of fatty acids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds and polysaccharides. However, further studies are necessary to find new bioactive molecules with biological relevance based on traditional medicine. The purpose of this review is to provide a broad and updated overview about the relevance of Libidibia ferrea species in regard to general aspects, traditional medicines, biological activities and chemical composition data.

 

Key words: Libidibia ferrea, medicinal properties, phytochemistry.

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